Captive clothing inserts

ABSTRACT

According to an exemplary embodiment a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, at least one bladder coupled to the at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed in the at least one protective insert. According to a second exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert; and at least one bladder coupled to the protective insert. According to a further exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert may be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least one protective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protective insert.

BACKGROUND

Protective equipment and clothing are used in countless activities toprotect a user's body. Traditional protective gear includes reinforcedgarments having protective material or padding integrated in the garmentitself. Other traditional protective gear includes padding orreinforcement that is independent of a user's garments and is held to auser's body by straps, harnesses, elastic fabric or the like.Independent protective gear may be worn inside of or outside of a user'sgarments. The straps and harnesses used to secure traditional protectivegear may be uncomfortable and may restrict a user's movement.Integrating the protective material or padding into a garment restrictsuse of that garment to times when a user wishes to have the extra,protective material. A user therefore may be required to change garmentsbetween various activities.

Exemplary conventional protective garments may include form-fittinggarments of elastic fabric that secure padding adjacent critical areas.Some more casual conventional protective garments may be loose fittingfor comfort, but may still offer protection from incidental impacts.Despite the variety of conventional protective garments, a user is stilllimited to either specialized garments with integrated protection,specialized garments with features for accommodating the protectivematerial, or protective gear secured by straps, harnesses, or additionalfabric.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment a captive clothing insert may bedisclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least oneprotective insert, at least one bladder coupled to the at least oneprotective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed in the atleast one protective insert.

According to a second exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insertmay be disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least oneprotective insert; and at least one bladder coupled to the protectiveinsert.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a captive clothing insert maybe disclosed. The captive clothing insert may include at least oneprotective insert, and at least one ventilation hole disposed on the atleast one protective insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

Exemplary FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lower body captiveclothing insert;

Exemplary FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a lower body captiveclothing insert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 3 shows a side view of the lower body captive clothinginsert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 4 shows a top view of a lower body captive clothinginsert in a flexed position;

Exemplary FIG. 5 shows a front view of an upper body captive clothinginsert; and

Exemplary FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an upper body captiveclothing insert in a flexed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the descriptiondiscussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a protective insert maybe disclosed. The insert may be for placement in a user's clothing. Anexemplary insert may create a secure, protective layer. The protectivelayer may guard a user from impacts, abrasions, punctures, harmfultemperatures, ballistics or other trauma, as would be understood by aperson having ordinary skill in the art. A protective insert may besubstantially flexible, to mold to a user's body. A protective insertmay vary in thickness, but may fit at least within a user's outergarment. A protective insert may further come in a variety of shapes andsizes to accommodate different body types and user sizes, as would beunderstood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The shape andsizes of the protective insert may be such that the user's body and theuser's clothes secure the insert. The shape may prevent shifting due tomovement or gravitational forces. Using the shape and features of theuser and the user's clothing to secure the protective insert may beconsistent, but various inserts may be used to protect different bodyareas, such as the chest, shoulders, back, posterior, and legs.Different configurations may also be utilized for different activities.For example, inserts for an activity such as snowboarding may projectfurther down a user's legs, while an insert for an activity thatinvolves running may not project as far, so as not to interfere with themotion of the user's legs. The protective insert may have increasedcomfort and flexibility over traditional protective equipment utilizingstraps and harnesses. Further, a protective insert may work with anyordinary garment and may be easily removed when not needed.

Some exemplary protective inserts may be constructed from a single pieceof material of uniform thickness, such as a piece of foam padding with athickness of about 5 mm to about 40 mm. It may be appreciated that thepiece of material may have a thickness of 24 mm or any other desiredvalue. In other exemplary embodiments, material of varying density andthickness may be used. For example, material from about ½ inch to about1 inch in thickness may be used. Varying thicknesses may be used tobalance a desired protection level and comfort. Still further, insertsmay be constructed from a plurality of individual cells of padding. Thematerial may include hard, soft, or a combination of hard and softmaterial. In an exemplary embodiment, the material may be a materialsuch as cross-linked EVA foam or a non-Newtonian fluid. Additionally,the non-Newtonian fluid may be D30. It may be further appreciated thatthe material may be polyurethane, cast into a quilted pad of trapped airpockets or any desired material. The material may further be enclosed ina protective outer fabric. Outer layers of fabric may further facilitatesliding the material into outer garments. In some embodiments, thematerial of the insert may cause the insert to be in a substantiallyflat state when not in use. Alternatively, the material of the insertmay remain in a flexed form when not in use. The flexed form may besubstantially conforming to a user's body.

Now referring to exemplary FIG. 1, a protective insert for posteriorprotection 100 may be provided. Protective insert for posteriorprotection 100 may have a top edge 102, at least one vertical retentioncontour 104, and at least one anti-bunching contour 106. In an exemplaryembodiment, there may be two anti-bunching contours 106. The at leastone vertical retention contour 104 and anti-bunching contours 106 mayform flap portions 112/114. When inserted within a garment, such as apair of pants, top edge 102 may align under the waistband of thegarment. The waistband may be sufficiently tight or adjustable toprevent insert 100 from sliding upward, twisting, shifting side to side,or rotating around a user's body or during use. Insert 100 may bedisposed between the garment and the user's body or between two layersof garments, such as a pair of pants and an undergarment. Verticalretention contour 104 may further secure protective insert 100 byaligning with an inseam of the crotch of the user's outer garment. Byengaging the inseam, vertical retention contour 104 may preventprotective insert 100 from sliding down, twisting, shifting side toside, or rotating around a user's body during use. Protective insert 100may be substantially flexible such that flap portions 108 may wraparound a user's hips, thighs, and upper leg regions to conform betweenthe user's body and the outer garment. In an exemplary embodiment, flaps112/114 may include waist flaps 112 and thigh flaps 114. Waist flaps 112may wrap around a user's hips just below the waist. Thigh flaps 114 maybe larger than waist flaps and may substantially cover a user'sposterior and outer thighs. The size and weight of larger thigh flaps114 may assist in maintaining a desired orientation of the protectiveinsert 100 and may prevent protective insert 100 from slidingvertically, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around a user'sbody during use.

Exemplary FIG. 2 may show a protective insert 100 in a flexedorientation. The flexed orientation of protective insert 100 may becaused by protective insert 100 conforming to the body and clothing of auser. As can be seen in FIG. 2, anti-binding contours 106 may facilitatebending along a horizontal axis when protective insert 100 is in aflexed position. Bending along a horizontal axis may facilitate theuser's ability to bend at the waist when wearing a protective insert100. The user may bend more freely at the waist in a forward, backward,or side-to-side direction due to anti-binding contours 106.

Anti-bunching contours 106 may facilitate movement by preventing insert100 from being compressed in a manner that leads to bunching orshifting. This may also allow all portions of insert 100 to remain inproximity to a user's body, even when contorted. In some alternativeembodiments, anti-bunching contours may be areas of thinner or moreflexible material rather than complete cutouts of material.Anti-bunching contours may further allow airflow to improve ventilationaround the padding. Ventilation may also be achieved through vent holesdisposed on the protective insert. In yet other embodiments, bladdersmay be used with check valves to pump air as the body moves and theprotective insert contorts. The pump may inflate and circulate airaround the insert as the user moves. In still some other exemplaryembodiments, a fluid bag may be used and may permit fluid transferbetween compartments within the protective insert through restrictiveorifices.

Exemplary FIG. 3 may show a side view of protective insert 100 in aflexed orientation and exemplary FIG. 4 may further show a top view ofprotective insert 100 in a flexed orientation. It will be understood bya person having ordinary skill in the art that the flexed orientationshown in FIG. 2-4 is exemplary and may vary to accommodate a user'sbody.

Protective insert 100 may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizesto protect the front, back, or sides of a user. Protective insert 100may further be configured to work in conjunction with other protectiveinserts.

Exemplary FIGS. 5 and 6 may show a protective upper body captiveclothing insert 200. An upper body captive clothing insert 200 may havesecuring contours 204. Securing contours 204 may align with seams orcontours of a user's garment. For example, securing contours 204 inexemplary FIGS. 5 and 6 may align with the underarm seam adjoining thesleeves to the body of the user's garment. Securing contours 204 may beconfigured to allow mobility of a user's arm and may form sleeve flaps212 and body flaps 214. Sleeve flaps 212 may be inserted in a garment'ssleeves, such that securing contours 204 rest on the underarm seam,preventing protective insert 200 from sliding vertically, twisting orshifting side to side during use. An exemplary embodiment of sleeveflaps 212 may prevent protective insert 200 from moving around a user'storso and thus may ensure rotational stability in addition toprotection. Sleeve flaps 212 may vary in length and may offer protectionto a user's arms. Body flaps 214 may conform between a user's body andan outer garment, protecting portions of a user's torso. An exemplaryembodiment of protective insert 200 may be configured to protect eitherthe back or front of a user. In other exemplary embodiments, multipleprotective inserts 200 may be used in conjunction to protect a front andback of a user. In yet other exemplary embodiments, a single protectiveinsert 200 may be configured to protect both the front and back of auser. In some embodiments, flaps 214 may be shaped to wrap substantiallyaround the abdominal area of a user.

In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom edge 202 of insert 200 may rest ona top edge of a user's waist, preventing insert 200 from slidingvertically. The bottom edge 202 may rest on the user's waist if theouter garment of the user is tucked into a belt or lower garment with awaistline able to prevent insert 200 from sliding. In some exemplaryembodiments, an upper body insert 200 may further have at least oneanti-binding contour disposed therein. For example, anti-bindingcontours may be disposed horizontally proximate the bottom of securingcontours 204. At least one anti-binding contour may also be disposedvertically from a bottom edge 202 of upper body insert 200.

Insert 200 may further have a neck contour 216. Neck contour 216 mayallow insert 200 to conform to a user's body without bunching, causingdiscomfort, or interfering with the motion of the user's neck. Neckcontour 216 may also be configured to match or rest just below the neckof a user's garment. This may prevent insert 200 from slidingvertically. In some further exemplary embodiments, upper body inserts200 may extend over a user's shoulders and neck contour 216 mayaccommodate a user's head and neck.

In an exemplary embodiment, all contour may prevent protective insertfrom sliding down, twisting, shifting side to side, or rotating around auser's body during use. It may be appreciated that the shape, the sizeand the weight of contours may secure the protective insert in itsintended position, as would be understood by a person having ordinaryskill in the art.

Protective body inserts may offer simple, economically constructed bodyprotection. Some embodiments may be rolled or folded, resulting inconvenient storing and transport. The inserts may further be customizedto fit a specific user. In some embodiments utilizing a single cut ofuniform material, the insert may simply be trimmed by the user. Thesecuring features of the protective inserts allow a user to addprotection to conventional clothing of various weights or materialsdepending on the circumstances. The inserts may further be deployed ortransferred between different outfits or even different users withlittle effort.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

1. A captive clothing insert comprising: at least one protective insert;at least one bladder coupled to the at least one protective insert; andat least one ventilation hole disposed on the at least one protectiveinsert.
 2. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at leastone bladder is used with at least one check valve to inflate andcirculate air around the at least one protective insert as the usermoves.
 3. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at leastone bladder permits fluid transfer between compartments within the atleast one protective insert through one or more restrictive orifices. 4.The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprotective insert is secured between a user's body and at least oneconventional garment. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, whereinthe at least one protective insert is made of a substantially flexiblematerial, so as to mold to a user's body and the at least oneconventional garment.
 6. The captive clothing insert of claim 1, whereinthe at least one protective insert is enclosed on a protective outerfabric facilitating sliding the material into a conventional garment. 7.The captive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprotective insert remains in a flexed form when not in use.
 8. Thecaptive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protectiveinsert remains in a substantially flat form when not in use.
 9. Thecaptive clothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protectiveinsert is a posterior protective insert and includes at least one topedge, at least one vertical retention contour, and at least oneanti-bunching contour.
 10. The captive clothing insert of claim 9,wherein the at least one vertical retention contour and at least oneanti-bunching contour forms one or more flap portions.
 11. The captiveclothing insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one protective insertis an upper body protective insert and comprises at least oneanti-binding contour, at least one neck contour, and at least onesecuring contour.
 12. The captive clothing insert of claim 11, whereinthe at least one securing contour is a sleeve flap inserted in aconventional garment sleeve and rests on an underarm seam or a bodyflap.
 13. The captive clothing insert of claim 12, wherein the body flapconforms between a user's body and a conventional garment, protectingportions of a user's torso, and is configured to protect at least one ofa user's back or a user's front.
 14. The captive clothing insert ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one protective insert is made of at leastone material.
 15. The captive clothing insert of claim 14, wherein thematerial has a thickness from about 5 mm to about 40 mm and the materialincludes at least one of synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, shockabsorbing foam, cross-linked EVA foam, non-Newtonian fluid andpolyurethane cast into a quilted pad of trapped air pockets.
 16. Thecaptive clothing insert of claim 15, wherein the material has athickness of about 24 mm.
 17. A captive clothing insert, comprising: atleast one protective insert; and at least one bladder coupled to theprotective insert.
 18. The captive clothing insert of claim 17, furthercomprising at least one ventilation hole disposed in the at least oneprotective insert.
 19. A captive clothing insert, comprising: at leastone protective insert; and at least one ventilation hole disposed on theat least one protective insert.
 20. The captive clothing insert of claim19, further comprising at least one bladder coupled to the protectiveinsert.